Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Berrien County, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A wild riverfront retreat, a young filmmakers red carpet, and a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Berrien County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Help shape community planning: The City of Niles is taking comment on a draft five-year park and recreation plan through March 30. A public hearing will be held on April 13 for public input — see how to submit comments.

Expanded care for grieving families: Dustin’s Place is launching Family Grief Nights in South Bend, bringing support closer to families across the state line. Sessions run every other Tuesday at the OneRoof Southeast Neighborhood Center — see when and where.

Fresh faces in farm policy: Governor Gretchen Whitmer named Niles grower Gregory Kugel and Decatur grower Scott Hassle to state agricultural commissions to help Michigan’s apple industry, with Senate advice and consent still required — see who’s been appointed.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Dine at Applebee’s for Chapel Hill UMC
• Seafood dinner paired with Tabor Hill wines
• Play bingo to win plants

🫶 We got your back

Serious sammie alert: New Buffalo’s longtime staple, David’s Delicatessen & Coffee, turns lunch into a craveable habit with Reubens, pressed paninis, and daily specials that deliver. When you want something hearty but not fussy, this neighborhood counter quietly crushes it, from first bite to last crumb.

Quick lakefront reset: When you need a quick reset, Silver Beach County Park delivers wide-open Lake Michigan shoreline, easy pier strolls, and an updated playground, perfect for kids or your inner one. Grab a friend, layer up if it’s breezy, and make dusk by the water your midweek ritual.

Rainy-day kid rescue: Stuck on a last-minute gift or rainy-day boredom? The Toy Company stocks board games, beach toys for lake days, and cuddle-worthy Jellycat favorites, plus friendly guidance to dodge decision fatigue. It’s an easy, happy stop when you want instant smiles without endless scrolling, for kids and kid-at-heart grownups.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

👾 All Monsters Attack Film Screening @ Benton Harbor Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 4:00 PM – Remember being a latchkey kid? All Monsters Attack screens at CCFF, a 1969 Godzilla flick made for kids that still sneaks in a tender coming-of-age story, subtitles and all. It’s free, 70 breezy minutes, kid-friendly at 8+, and yes, there’s popcorn.

🏫 Junior Kindergarten / Kindergarten Round Up @ Liberty Christian Classical School (Bridgman) | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Considering Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten? Liberty Christian Classical School is hosting a Round-Up to tour classrooms, meet the team, and see a program rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty. Bring your questions, your tiny critic, and your patience, because the crayons are fancier than ours.

👨 Krasl Family Night @ Benton Harbor Public Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’ve got littles, teens, or just untapped crafty energy, swing by Benton Harbor Public Library for Krasl’s free family art night with Miss Jessica. Think DIY buttons, pumpkin paint, pinewood racers, and zero glitter in your carpet. Second Wednesday evenings, of course.

🎥 Big Dream Film Screening @ Benton Harbor Public Library | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Think you know who belongs in tech? Big Dream follows seven young women shattering STEM stereotypes, from small-town Iowa to the Middle East, in a tight 90-minute doc. Part of CCFF’s 10-day spree, it is free, with popcorn, workshops, and a Young Filmmakers Competition.

📖 Storytime @ Cass District Library Howard Branch (Niles) | Friday (3/13) at 11:00 AM – If your small humans could use a screen break, come for Storytime, with cozy read-alouds, silly songs, and a simple craft. You get ten minutes to breathe and make knowing eye contact with other grown-ups, they get a fridge-worthy masterpiece, and everyone wins.

🎬 Young Filmmakers Competition Film Screening & Red Carpet Awards @ The GhostLight Theatre (Benton Harbor) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Cheer on the next generation at the Young Filmmakers Competition, a free screening of 19 short films, popcorn included, at the GhostLight Theater. Catch an earlier showing to cast your Audience Favorite vote, then enjoy a CCFF red carpet awards night, small-town pride, big-screen dreams.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt 2026 @ North Berrien Historical Museum (Coloma) | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Trade the green beer for brains and head to the North Berrien Historical Museum for a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt that’s self-guided, family-friendly, and actually fun. Team up or go solo, follow clues, and learn Irish-American history. Free, and yes, the kids can lead.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Berrien County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 61°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 24%

A slight chance of rain showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 48 overnight. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 99%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Michigan but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 10-plus acre riverfront retreat pairs a charming 1-bed, 1-bath cabin with a remarkable 6,100-square-foot craftsman-style metal building complete with utilities, kitchen, and bath. The river flows just steps away, plus a starry-night firepit and space for events, car collections, hobby farming, woodworking, or equestrian pursuits. Privacy, versatility, and nature-rich views.

Take a peek inside →